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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Magic Pumpkin Butter Bars with Pumpkin Seeds and a Gingersnap Crust

It is turn around day - meaning unpack, wash clothes and pack again. I'm not used to this! After having had a fabulous time with Zoe exploring the Brandywine Valley, it is now off to Phoenix where my landscape will be a sea of boxes! Though I am still not feeling 100% about my parent's move, I will be happy to have it over with. So very quickly, as I have way too much to do, I will tell you what makes these bars so magical. It begins with their ease of preparation and ends with their lovely Fall flavor. I brought a batch to Zoe's where I left them in the able hands of her boyfriend. I guess one exchange for the other, if you know what I mean! He happened to text Zoe that they were magical, so you will have to trust him on this. Of course he confessed to me that he also has a cookie and cake addiction, which means we have something in common. What we don't have in common is that he is tall and thin and well....I am just the opposite.

I took lots of "great" pics on the trip and even put a few on Instagram. My daughter finally feels I am entering the modern world! This involved getting rid of my flip phone which now means I need to learn something new! And if you tried to follow me on Instagram I had the follow name wrong. Mine is This_Is_How_I_Cook. What a hassle to type, so I will get a button soon! But I did take lots of photos of us having fun! I've never seen so many pumpkins in my life in PA, nor have I seen so many people picking them!We also had a super time at the bed and breakfast. Check out Hamanassett, when you have a chance. Glenn and Ashley are fantastic hosts!

It was a close, quaint getaway from Philly. On the way we stopped and did some apple slinging, and some apple picking. Everyone picks apples carrying their Michael Kors bags, don't they?

We also saw a lot of pumpkins. And oh yeah, we ate these decadent potato chips, too! Aren't they gorgeous?

The next day we explored Winterthur, where we saw the Downton Abbey costumes and the fabulous mansion. And Zoe climbed in the giant bird's nest.

Sunday found us at the Brandywine Museum which contains an outstanding collection of Wyeth paintings that I have adored, ever since my parents had one of their art books on our coffee table. Yes, we ate a lot and also visited a store called Terrain that is owned by Anthropologie, and is a remarkable landscaping, garden and home goods store, that has a cafe I could live in. I've already checked out their great site and signed up for their blog. Wouldn't you just love to dine at this table?

That's it for now, except I will share the recipe for these bars. I started with a gingersnap crust, but one could use graham crackers, too. I topped this with a pumpkin butter filling courtesy of Trader Joe's, but if you can't find pumpkin butter, you can just use canned pumpkin, too. I finished this off with pumpkin seeds, but feel free to use the nut of your choice. They taste great cold, and are also decadent at room temperature. Sultry and spicy and rich, they are what the season of fall represents, at least to me. Let me warn you, they are also magical, which seems to be the best way to describe my trip!

Magic Pumpkin Butter Bars with Pumpkin Seeds and a Gingersnap CrustMakes:9 x 13 panIngredients:2 1/4 c graham cracker crumbs or gingersnaps crushed to make 2 1/4 c1 stick butter8 T pumpkin butter or 3/4 c pumpkin mixed with 2 1/2 t pumpkin spice1 can condensed milk1 c Heath toffee chips3/4 c white chocolate chips3/4 c semisweet or dark chocolate chips1/2 c green pumpkin seeds1 c shredded coconut1/4-1/2 t coarse saltDirections:Preheat oven to 350. Line pan with a sheet of parchment paper. Mix butter with crumbs in a bowl and pat into the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan. In small bowl mix pumpkin and spices or pumpkin butter with condensed milk. Pour over top of crumbs. Top with toffee. Next the white chocolate chips and then the dark chocolate chips. Sprinkle on the pumpkin seeds. Last, but not least, add the coconut. Then sprinkle with a bit of coarse salt.Bake at 350 for about 45-60 minutes. Let cool and refrigerate. Lift parchment out of pan and cut bars into size of your choice. Serve cold or at room temperature.Now got outside and smell the fall air. Now take a bite from one of these bars and taste it!

Gingersnap for me, please -- I much prefer its flavor to graham crackers. Nice bars, and it sounds like you had a wonderful visit! Your next trip is work, alas -- hope everything goes well and you'll be back home soon.

Wow these bars look amazing! We love magical bars and love all the ingredients you put into this one. I could probably finish off the entire tray .... BTW you and your daughter look beautiful in that photo!

Thanks for taking us on your lovely fall get away. Great photos. I felt like I was there with you. I know it is unsettling with your parents move but all changes are always difficult at first. Now I wish I was in the same room as your magic pumpkin butter bars. These look heavenly and a perfect bite of fall...

What a fab trip. All of that and the Wyeth paintings---Wow. I am envious. Good luck at your parents. I am liking the magic bars----made me think of the magic beans of Jack and the Beanstalk. I would have no problem eating a couple of these with a cup of coffee right now.

Fabulous trip. I've never been to this part of the country and want to go one of these Falls. A coworker made something similar to this recipe but this sounds ever more delicious with the crust. Love that crow napkin.

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